The Encounter on Shuihan Star

Father and son raced across the starry skies, with Xiong Fen, whose cultivation had greatly advanced, leading the way at full speed. In less than two days, they traversed the vast sea of stars.

Finally, a white planet came into view, unobscured by any atmospheric clouds. Even from tens of thousands of miles away, it stood out like a luminous pearl.

Xiong Zhong's eyes lit up with excitement, his joy bursting forth!

"Father!"

"That must be the Frostwater Star, right?"

Xiong Fen nodded solemnly, his eyes gleaming like stars.

"Indeed. Frostwater Star is notorious for its harsh, frigid environment, naturally inhospitable to most living beings. Spatial turbulence runs rampant here, making it a haven only for demonic tribes."

"This journey will surely bring us great rewards, allowing us to complete our mission with success."

As he spoke, Xiong Fen turned back with a grave expression to warn his son.

"Son, Frostwater Star is infested with countless powerful demonic beings. Remember, we must not act recklessly or grow greedy for achievements. Though our cultivation has improved, we should only hunt demons at the periphery!"

"The slightest carelessness could cost us our lives!"

Xiong Zhong nodded earnestly, keeping close to his father.

The two accelerated once more, transforming into streaks of light as they shot toward the snow-white planet!

In the blink of an eye, they landed on the icy surface.

Gazing at the endless expanse of white and standing atop millennia-old ice, Xiong Fen couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.

"There was a time when I only heard of Frostwater Star in legends, never daring to set foot here. Who would have thought that one day, I’d possess the strength to stand on this very ground?"

"Though we are but ordinary laborers on Dark Shadow Island, in the outside world, we’ve achieved something remarkable!"

Xiong Zhong listened with brimming excitement, pride radiating from his face.

"Exactly!"

"Father, you’re almost breaking through to the Second Realm—of course you’re a master! Once we complete this mission and return, as long as we keep working hard, our future is boundless!"

"Honestly, I don’t think there’s any place in this world that can compare to our Dark Shadow Island!"

Treading carefully across the ice, Xiong Fen gave a slight nod.

"That may be true, but we must remember—there’s always someone stronger."

"Our cultivation is still far from the peak. Legends say… Frostwater Star houses true elites of the demonic tribes, beings of unimaginable power. We must never let our guard down, not even at the periphery. Even here, formidable demons may lurk."

"We must proceed with utmost caution. If we return injured due to negligence, we’ll lose face before the Moon God Pavilion, tarnish the reputation of Dark Shadow Island, and betray the trust of our captain. Such a thing must never happen."

"When hunting demons later, we advance step by step!"

Listening to his father’s earnest teachings, Xiong Zhong nodded firmly.

"Yes!"

After all they had been through, he understood deeply that their current fortune was the result of immense luck. They must cherish everything they had and never take it for granted.

Before them, the vast glaciers lay eerily tranquil, devoid of any apparent danger.

Yet Xiong Zhong remained vigilant.

The deadliest threats often hid within the calmest facades.

The moment one let their guard down, death could strike without warning.

Sensing the unsettling silence, Xiong Zhong’s expression grew solemn.

Not only did he don his orange work uniform, but he also equipped a safety helmet and white-knitted gloves—his three treasures, all prepared for a fierce battle!

Seeing his son’s thorough preparations, Xiong Fen nodded in approval.

"Well done!"

"You’ve truly grown. ‘Even a lion must exert its full strength to catch a rabbit.’ That you understand this principle means you’ve already surpassed what I was at your age!"

Finally earning his father’s praise, Xiong Zhong bowed excitedly.

"I will redouble my efforts!"

Father and son exchanged smiles before setting off, fully geared.

Yet as they ventured deeper into the glacial valleys, clad in heavenly-tier artifacts, they didn’t encounter a single soul—not even a trace of demonic presence. It was as if Frostwater Star’s desolation exceeded all expectations, as though the demons had vanished entirely…

Growing suspicious, Xiong Zhong leaned closer.

"Father, this isn’t right…"

"We haven’t seen a single demon in ages. Did we come to the wrong place? Is this really Frostwater Star?"

Xiong Fen’s expression darkened.

"Just when I praised you, you lose your composure?"

"Demons are notoriously cunning. They could be hiding in the shadows right now, trying to unsettle us. The moment we relax, they’ll strike!"

Hearing this, Xiong Zhong’s eyes flashed with realization and shame before he steeled himself once more.

"I see!"

"My apologies…"

As they pressed forward, they soon entered a region of glacial hills—and finally spotted a massive ant.

The ant was blood-red, standing nearly thirty feet tall!

Its aura was extraordinary, its forehead marked with a sinister crimson hue, exuding a bloodthirsty nature. Its massive mandibles gleamed menacingly under the icy light!

Father and son shuddered in unison.

Xiong Fen swiftly shielded his son, his safety helmet firmly in place as he spoke gravely.

"Hold!"

"That’s a Blood Ant, a true demonic being! Even at birth, they possess strength equivalent to a Saint. Do not underestimate it!"

Xiong Fen’s eyes widened in shock, silently acknowledging the terror of demonic tribes.

To encounter a Saint-level being so casually—a mere juvenile surpassing millennia of human cultivation—was a testament to their terrifying innate talent!

Just as the two braced for battle…

The giant ant suddenly stiffened before collapsing to its knees with a thud!

"Not again…"

"Please, spare me! I’m just a baby—I’ve never killed anyone! Waaah…"

???

Father and son blinked in bewilderment, their minds flooded with confusion.

Before they could react, the ant began kowtowing frantically, weeping and begging for mercy with practiced ease!

Xiong Zhong’s eyes glazed over, his worldview shaken.

This demon…

Was nothing like his father had described.

After a few seconds, a glint of realization flashed in his eyes!

"It must be a trick!"

In an instant, Xiong Zhong formed clawed hands, channeling the power of the Great Dao, his gaze sharp with lethal resolve!

To any observer, he now embodied the decisive bearing of a prodigy—a far cry from the hesitant youth he once was.

But before he could strike, his father had already unleashed a palm strike!

"Brick-Laying Palm!"

The merciless, full-force blow instantly reduced the Blood Ant to dust!

Amid the scattered remains and drifting blood mist, Xiong Zhong stared in shock before his face twisted with regret.

"Father!"

"You said it was a Saint-level demon! You could’ve let me test my skills! My Cart-Pushing Hands have improved lately—this was the perfect opponent to practice on!"

Xiong Fen laughed sheepishly.

"Hahaha!"

"Sorry, son! Got a bit carried away there. Next time, I promise it’s your turn."

With laughter lingering in the air, the two collected the demon’s remains into their storage ring and marched onward, invigorated.

After their first encounter, their confidence in their strength grew, as did their appreciation for the might of their three treasures. Their strides were bold and spirited.

Yet as they advanced, no more demons appeared.

Until—

They stumbled upon a valley littered with demonic corpses, leaving them stunned!

"So many Blood Ants!"

"What kind of demon could leave such terrifying residual energy?!"

"What happened on Frostwater Star? Did some monstrous entity descend?"

"Whatever the case, we mustn’t linger! At least these corpses save us the trouble—we can over-deliver on our mission now!"

"Son! Gather the demon remains quickly, and let’s leave this place!"

Both shocked and thrilled, the father and son duo frantically gathered demon corpses.

They couldn’t fathom what kind of terrifying existence could have slaughtered the Waterfrost Star’s demonic tribes to near extinction. The sheer danger of the place made even them tense up involuntarily!

At the same time.

A flying vessel descended upon Waterfrost Star, with several powerful figures standing at the forefront.

All of them were Heaven-rank experts!

A full dozen Heaven-rank masters, any one of whom could dominate a region of the celestial domain, now stood with bowed heads, as if awaiting orders.

In the direction of their reverence.

A jade chair was placed.

Upon it reclined a handsome young master, draped in a snow-white cloak, being pampered by several celestial maidens massaging his shoulders and legs. His eyes were lightly closed, as if still in slumber.

Yet, not a single person dared to make a sound to disturb him.

After what seemed like an eternity.

The young master finally let out an impatient sigh, his voice icy as he spoke softly.

“What does it matter if Waterfrost Star has undergone some changes? It’s just a bunch of demons. For such a trivial matter to trouble this young master’s presence is truly vexing.”

The dozen Heaven-rank experts immediately bowed deeper, their faces filled with awe.

“We beg your forgiveness, Young Master…”

Hearing this, the young master twitched his right index finger, and the celestial maidens silently retreated. Only then did the bowing Heaven-rank experts dare to glance up at his peerless beauty.

His eyes slowly opened, revealing depths like the starry cosmos, yet tinged with a trace of malice. The excessive reverence of his subordinates only seemed to irritate him further, fueling his annoyance with this entire trip.

His gaze grew colder, his star-like eyes drifting indifferently to the side.

Just then.

From the snow-white glacial valley, two figures emerged!

From a distance, they appeared to be an old man and a young man, both dressed in bizarre attire. Their strange outfits instantly caught the young master’s attention.

A look of surprise flickered across his face.

After observing them for a few breaths.

The irritation in his eyes faded completely, replaced by an increasingly intense curiosity.

Greed and fascination swirled together in his gaze.

The corners of the young master’s lips curled slightly.

“Go!”

“Capture those two!”

With that soft command, two figures immediately bowed.

“As you command!”